Redhawk Caldera Sky Riser

She couldn’t hear Seal’s words, though she felt the familiar hum of speech where her granddaughter’s throat curved against her shoulder. Towhee smiled, then reluctantly pulled away so they could communicate properly. She caught Hotah’s words out of the corner of her eye and tossed him a warm smile.

-How have you been?- the Elder asked, holding Seal’s gaze. She was anxious to ask a dozen more questions, though she held her paws still except to add, -I hope as well as you look. You’re a full-grown woman now,- Towhee marveled.

She’d been an adult the last time they’d seen each other, of course, but in the interim, Seal had truly grown into herself. She was old enough to be a mother now. And Towhee wondered. But still she kept her limbs still to let her progeny speak, except when she reached out to smooth a paw lightly over Seal’s shoulder, the movement infused with affectionate pride.